Mainstreaming Gender in Countrywork

By Prapti Das

ABSTRACT

In the pursuit of sustainable development, it is imperative to address gender disparities that persist in various facets of society. Gender mainstreaming in country work emerges as a crucial strategy to integrate gender perspectives into all policies, programs, and projects. This article explores the significance of mainstreaming gender issues in country work, drawing attention to the multifaceted benefits it brings to the table.

WHAT, WHY AND HOW OF GENDER-MAINSTREAMING?

Imagine being in the heart of Progressburg, where Maya, an imaginative catalyst at the Department of Community Transformation, sparked a revolution. Seeing policies as strokes on a canvas, she transformed mundane routines into vibrant murals of change. Through interactive workshops, data tales, and street performances, Maya invited all to be part of the narrative. Her story is not just about policies; it is a testament to the transformative power of creativity in country work—an invitation to paint a more inclusive and colorful tomorrow.

It is today not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for transforming this imaginative telltale into reality. When all genders are afforded equal opportunities, societies benefit from diverse perspectives, enhanced economic productivity, and improved overall well-being. It is a cornerstone for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in particular SDG 5, which concerns itself with the empowerment of girls and women, all the while fostering stability, and creating resilient communities. 

This mainstreaming of gender as a “policy frame” in governance and country work was first pronounced in the year 1985 at the World Conference on Women held in Nairobi.  The “what” of gender mainstreaming came in 1998, precisely 18 years later, when the Council of Europe (COE) defined gender-mainstreaming as, “the re-organisation, improvement, development and evaluation of policy processes, so that a gender equality perspective is incorporated in all policies at all levels and at all stages, by the actors normally involved in policy-making.” It is that process of incorporating gender perspectives into the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of policies, programs, and projects in all areas and at all levels.  (United Nations, 1997). 

The “why” of gender mainstreaming lies in its significance of integrating gender issues in country work which it owes to its potential to address existing disparities and unlock the full potential of all individuals alike. Simply mentioning “women and men” without also considering their different situations is not sufficient and therefore, this integration of gender perspectives as well as the needs and wants of the two heterogenous enhances the effectiveness of policies and contributes to more equitable and sustainable development outcomes. The aim is to include a gender equality perspective throughout the policy measures, documents or programmes that run global governance and closer home, the root-level governance. 

The discussed narrative is brought to light by Professor Naila Kabeer, who in her critique of the renowned economist and Nobel laureate, Esther Duflo Bannerjee’s “randomista” method in mapping women’s economic development, mentions how this approach of randomization and methodological pluralism in policymaking focuses more on democratization of person-to-person relations than the many needs and aims of isolated individuals and their socio-historical context. 

This is where gender-mainstreaming steps in as an effective strategy to improve the quality of public policies, programmes, and projects by considering the needs and situations of all users and genders in a society, not grouping them together into “vulnerable groups” but recognizing their distinctiveness and realising the need for their inclusive integration. 

Many global governance bodies such as the IMF and the WHO, in particular, have elaborated on how gender-mainstreaming has been operational in its programmes and actions through its “leave none behind” approach in the achievement of efficient countrywork and the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The UN body working for universal safety and health has also recently updated its gender-mainstreaming manual to include the recognition of gender diversity, key concepts around gender issues and how gender power dynamics result in different outcomes for different people as well as the need for neutralizing this disparity. 

(Image Courtesy: www.who.int)

Closer home, bringing gender equality to the forefront of public policy-making, representation, governance and in every essence of country work is evident in the recent most नारी शक्ति वंदन अधिनियम or the Women’s Reservation Bill, passed in 2023 to mandate 33% reservation for the women in parliament and legislative assemblies. It is a noble step in bringing the powerful bench of women, who make up half of the population, to the table of decision-making and it also brings us to the discussion of “how” we could move ahead with gender-mainstreaming in-country work. 

Increased representation is no doubt a necessary first step and fulfils an objective of its own. However, what we need to aid this presence in numbers is a presence in exercise. A qualitative change in gender mainstreaming for policy, programme and activity is thus necessary. 

How we can achieve this gender-mainstreaming exercise is through:

 1. Policy and Institutional Framework-

To mainstream gender issues effectively, it is essential to assess the existing policy and institutional frameworks. Policies that explicitly incorporate gender perspectives set the tone for inclusive development. However, the challenge lies in the implementation and enforcement of these policies. Evaluating the effectiveness of existing structures is paramount to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.

2. Capacity Building-

Building capacity among key stakeholders is pivotal for successful gender mainstreaming. Policymakers, government officials, and organizations involved in country work need training programs that instill gender sensitivity. These programs should not only focus on awareness but also provide practical tools for integrating gender perspectives into decision-making processes.

3. Data Collection and Analysis-

A cornerstone of gender mainstreaming is the availability of gender-disaggregated data. Such data provides a nuanced understanding of how policies and programs impact different genders. Governments and organizations involved in country work must invest in robust data collection mechanisms and analytical tools that facilitate evidence-based decision-making.

4. Engaging Civil Society-

Civil society plays a crucial role in advocating for gender mainstreaming and is no longer just an audience but a vibrant cast. Collaborative efforts between the government and civil society organizations can amplify the impact of gender-sensitive initiatives. Success stories often emerge from partnerships where grassroots organizations actively participate in the design, implementation, and evaluation of policies.

CASE STUDIES: Tales of Transformation

Numerous countries have successfully mainstreamed gender issues into their development agendas. Rwanda's commitment to gender equality, reflected in its legislative framework and policies, has led to significant improvements in women's political representation and economic empowerment. Similarly, Sweden's gender-responsive budgeting ensures that resources are allocated with a keen understanding of their differential impact on various genders and is exemplary of its gender-mainstreaming programme in government agencies. 

CONCLUSION

This brings us to the realization that the actualization of the world in which Maya has brought waves of revolutionary change is not far off from the one we live in. 

For this actualization, what we need is for policymakers to emphasize enacting and enforcing gender-sensitive policies and for NGOs and civil society to actively engage in advocacy and collaboration with the government to ensure the effective implementation of these policies. Researchers and academics should continue to explore innovative approaches to gender mainstreaming and disseminate knowledge that informs evidence-based practices and future research should delve into the evolving nature of gender issues, considering the intersectionality of identities and emerging challenges. Moreover, exploring how technology and innovation can be leveraged for gender mainstreaming in-country work will also be an avenue that warrants further exploration.

As we navigate the complex landscape of global development, integrating gender perspectives into every aspect of country work is not just an option; it is an imperative for a sustainable and equitable future. The journey towards gender mainstreaming requires commitment, collaboration, and continuous evaluation, but the rewards are transformative, fostering a society where everyone can thrive.

REFERENCES:

European Journal for International Relations (EJIR), Mainstreaming Gender in Global Governance, (2002)

N. Kabeer, Women’s Empowerment and Economic Development: A Feminist Critique of Storytelling Practices in “Randomista” Economics, (2020)

UNCW, Beijing Platform for Action, (1995) 

The Hindu, What is a randomized controlled trial? (2019)

United Nations, Report of the ECOSOC, (1997)

Council of Europe International, What is Gender-Mainstreaming? (2023)

International Monetary Fund, IMF Strategy Toward Mainstreaming Gender, (2022)

World Health Organization, Updated gender-mainstreaming manual, (2022)

Amar Ujjala, Nari Shakti Vandan Act: what will change in Lok-sabha and assemblies after its implementation? (2023)

OECD, Sweden’s programme for gender-mainstreaming in government agencies (GMGA)

UNDP, Africa’s first National Gender Standards in Rwanda, (2023)